Social Work Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

There are 11,332+ social work positions currently offering visa sponsorship in the United States. The most common visa types for these roles include F-1 OPT, H-1B, TN. Top hiring companies include LifeStance Health, RHA Health Services, LLC, & Advocates, among others. Salaries for sponsored positions range from $31K – $38K.

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Overview

Open Jobs11,332+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type90% On-site
Salary Range$31K – $38K
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsLifeStance Health

Showing 5 of 11,332+ social work jobs

County of Monterey
Psychiatric Social Worker I
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County of Monterey
New 1h ago
Psychiatric Social Worker I
County of Monterey
Salinas, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Master's

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The General Hospital Corporation
Clinical Social Worker
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The General Hospital Corporation
New 4h ago
Clinical Social Worker
The General Hospital Corporation
Somerville, Massachusetts
Nursing
Allied Health
Social Work & Counseling
Mental & Behavioral Health
$34/hr - $49/hr
Hybrid
2+ yrs exp.
Master's

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University of Rochester
Social Worker
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University of Rochester
New 5h ago
Social Worker
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York Metropolitan Area
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$63,003/yr - $80,600/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Master's

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ECU Health
Trauma Resiliency Care Coordinator Licensed Social Worker
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ECU Health
New 5h ago
Trauma Resiliency Care Coordinator Licensed Social Worker
ECU Health
Greenville, North Carolina
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Social Work & Counseling
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$62,400/yr - $90,948/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Florida Gulf Coast University
Assistant Professor, Social Work
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Florida Gulf Coast University
New 5h ago
Assistant Professor, Social Work
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida
Teaching & Instruction
Research & Academia
Higher Education
Curriculum Design
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Doctorate

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Social Work

Pursue licensure as early as possible to maximize your competitiveness

Obtaining your Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential demonstrates that you meet U.S. professional standards and significantly strengthens your H-1B petition. Begin the ASWB examination process and state licensing application during your MSW program or OPT period so you are fully credentialed when seeking sponsorship.

Target healthcare systems and hospitals with social work departments

Large hospital systems like Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, and academic medical centers employ clinical social workers for discharge planning, behavioral health, and patient advocacy. Healthcare employers frequently sponsor because clinical social work requires an MSW and licensure, making the specialty occupation argument straightforward.

Consider school social work positions in underserved districts

School districts facing social worker shortages, particularly in rural and low-income areas, may sponsor H-1B visas and some qualify for cap exemptions if affiliated with nonprofit educational institutions. School social work typically requires state-specific school social work certification in addition to your LMSW or LCSW.

Look into community mental health centers in shortage areas

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community mental health centers in Health Professional Shortage Areas actively recruit social workers and often have experience with visa sponsorship. These nonprofit organizations may also be H-1B cap-exempt, allowing filing at any time without lottery constraints.

Specialize in a high-demand clinical area

Substance abuse treatment, trauma-informed care, geriatric social work, and child welfare are areas with persistent workforce shortages. Specializing in one of these fields during your MSW and clinical hours makes you harder to replace and gives employers a stronger justification for sponsorship.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do employers sponsor visas for social workers in the U.S.?

Yes, social work is a strong candidate for H-1B sponsorship because it is a licensed profession that requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) and often a master's degree (MSW) for clinical roles. Hospitals, community mental health centers, school districts, and government agencies all sponsor social workers, particularly in areas facing workforce shortages. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are especially in demand.

What licenses do international social workers need to practice in the U.S.?

Licensing requirements vary by state, but most states require at least a master's degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program for clinical practice. You will typically need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination at the appropriate level - bachelor's, master's, or clinical. Some states accept international social work degrees if they are evaluated as equivalent by a credential evaluation agency like WES or ECE.

Are social work roles in shortage areas easier to sponsor?

Yes, many rural areas and underserved communities across the U.S. face significant social worker shortages, which can make employers in these regions more willing to sponsor and more successful in their petitions. Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) designated by HRSA often have employers actively recruiting internationally. Working in a shortage area may also provide advantages for certain green card pathways.

Can I use OPT to work as a social worker after graduating from a U.S. MSW program?

Yes, MSW graduates can use 12 months of post-completion OPT to work in social work roles while pursuing licensure and building experience. Social work is not a STEM-designated field, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension is not available. This makes it critical to identify employers willing to sponsor an H-1B petition early in your OPT period.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Social Work jobs?

When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a social work in New York will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.

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